Kahir S. Jawad

Biostatistician II
Child & Adolescent Health Research Design & Support (CAHRDS) Unit

How long have you worked in Pediatrics?   3 years

What is your favorite thing about your job? I have always enjoyed sciences, including both the study of human health, and mathematics. As I experience the importance of both individual and population health, academic and clinical setting throughout my training and career in healthcare, I developed more questions that needed answering. Thus, I believe my job provide me the opportunity to combine clinical medicine with biostatistics and epidemiology to enhance the collaborative work with clinical investigators and help to optimize research design to create a positive impact on society’s health and promote a healthier population.

What is your hometown?
Baghdad, Iraq

What is your favorite movie?
The Shawshank Redemption, Moulin Rouge, and all Animation/Comedy movies!

Tell us about your family:
I currently live in Louisville and have two precocious children (a 10-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old boy). I am originally from Baghdad, Iraq, where my parents and siblings still reside.

Do you have pets?
No

What are you doing, where are you going, for your next vacation?
I am currently a second year PhD student in Epidemiology & Population Health and plan to start working on my dissertation in September 2020. If circumstances surrounding COVID-19 would allow, I would love to visit my family again in Europe (UK & France) and also visit Italy & Spain in summer 2021.  But for now, I am wishing everyone health and safety during this difficult time.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A physician

What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Despite the ongoing war in Iraq, entering my medical internship, and later I was forced to leave my country and relocate in Jordan and then finally in the US. I took pride in providing the best care I could under these difficult circumstances to my patients and my family. I pursued my academic career, earning a master’s degree and working through a PhD program in the US, showing resilience in spite of these challenges.

What is your favorite quote?
“What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger”.

What was your first job?
medical intern (physician).

What is your favorite ice cream
Butter pecan ice cream